Worship in the Episcopal Church is based on the traditions of earliest Christian communities. We actively participate — listening, singing, kneeling and praying — and receive the bread and wine; we taste and feel and smell. Each person in the pew is just as much a minister in worship as the lay readers, acolytes, deacon or priest.
The Book of Common Prayer (the red book in the pew) is our guide to rites and worship forms for individual and communal use. The blue book in the pew is The Hymnal. The organist leads the music as the congregation and choir sing familiar hymns.
The architectural structure of the worship space draws our attention to the center of our spiritual life, the holy table. We treat the altar area with special reverence and mark it with cross and candles to set it apart. It is the holy places of our lives that give meaning and value to all of life. When we cross the threshold into this building, we enter a sacred space. When we leave, we carry that sacred imprint with us into the world; we bear God's blessing to others.
In our worship, we seek to strike a balance between uniformity for the sake of unity and freedom of expression for the sake of the movement of the Holy Spirit. The Book of Common Prayer provides orders of worship for various public occasions as well as for individual and family use. The intent of the Book is to provide a spiritual pattern for our lives.
Communion is offered at all weekly services: 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Tuesdays; as well as 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
At the communion rail, you may receive the bread into your hand, consume it and then guide the cup to your lips. If you do not wish to receive from the cup, consume the bread and cross your hands over your chest to refuse the cup. If you wish to receive a blessing only, simply cross your hands over your chest. Any persons needing assistance coming to the rail should notify an usher; communion will be brought to you as desired.
Children may receive communion and there is not a minimum age.
St. John’s Episcopal Church
235 W Duffy StNorman, OK 73069Office Phone (405) 321-3020